Known for his renowned membership of the Wu-Tang Clan, but also for his early solo works, Ghostface Killah is once again attracting major attention over the release of a forthcoming album. The title of this new one: 36 Seasons, which apparently includes a comic insert based on the album’s concept of the revenge of a deafeated and forgotten anti-hero. The new single “Double Cross” features Brooklyn-born rapper AZ, as do a few other tracks on the album, and includes a menacing bassline over kick and hat drum beats. Interrupted briefly by police commands and a slight build up to AZ’s verse–which contains a well-placed “C.R.E.A.M.” reference–the track is a bit unadventurous and expected, but still an exciting prelude to the impending project.

You can actually try another new track from 36 Seasons, “Blood In The Streets,” right here.

Following up his impressive collaborative concept album with Adrian Younge last year, Twelve Reasons To Die, Ghostface Killah is ready to drop another full-length this December titled 36 Seasons. It’s another concept album, which is fine by me, and details a story of revenge.

“The Battlefield” is the second track to get released from this thing–here’s the first–and it features verses from Kool G Rap and AZ. There’s a sweet hook on this thing that’s sung by Tre Williams, too. The track puts us right in the middle of the album’s storyline, introducing us to an unhappy Ghostface Killah reacting to his old neighborhood going to hell after a 9-year hiatus spent somewhere else.

The track’s instrumental has a head-bobbing rhythm, some righteous piano chords, and a driving guitar lead, too. While the lyrical content leaves a lot of questions about the storyline of the album, it’s certainly a good cliffhanger for now.

UK hip hop artists Jehst and Strange U team up for a new single titled “Dolph Lundgren.” It’s a bit of grimy, clever hardcore hip hop with loads of enthusiasm and clever bars. These guys are also on a UK tour, which you can check the dates of right here.

New York rapper and Pro Era member Joey Bada$$ drops the 2nd single from his forthcoming album, B4.DA.$$. With the great beat, and the increased aggression on all of Joey’s flows lately, I’m dying to hear this album. Not totally sure when that’s dropping, though. Why, Joey, why?!?!?! We can’t wait any longer!

Check out a video for this track below, and scope a review of Joey’s 1999 tape here.

Your Old Droog! This dude’s a brooklyn rapper who’s been making the rounds on the Internet since this past summer, and his hype was based mostly off of the rumor that he was Nas. People were even upping the pitch of tracks on his lone EP just to try to prove to themselves that this was true. Now, I understand why people were feeling this way; I mean, he does sound a lot like Nas. Even my dude Apathy was fooled.

But now that this whole mess has been put to rest, Droog is just another rapper from New York. However, that’s no reason to count him out–especially after the release of the song embedded above. Not only does this song boast a stellar feature from Prodigy of Mobb Deep, but Droog hits upon a song topic that’s close to the heart of anyone from the North East: hoodie weather.

With leaves changing and temperatures dropping, “Hoodie Weather” is the perfect soundtrack for the fall. With his deep, grime-caked voice, Droog pens a sluggishly blissful hook that can go toe-to-toe with some of hip hop’s most classic summer anthems. Lyrically, Droog is on point, and addresses everything from germophobia to friends.

All I can say right now is keep it up, and I’m looking forward to whatever’s dropping next. Despite the disappointment I’m sure some felt after realizing Droog wasn’t Nas, the fact that he can write such a great tune and get a nod from a vet like Prodigy is proof enough he’s worthy of our attention for at least a little longer.

After dropping with Madlib what will no doubt be a strong contender for the greatest hip hop album of the year (Piñata), Freddie Gibbs wasted no time teaming up for another noteworthy collaboration. This time, the Indiana rapper has joined forces with Bay Area producer DJ Fresh (a.k.a. The World’s Freshest), making another entry in Fresh’s Tonite Show series.

At under a half an hour, The Tonite Show is short, sweet (eh, maybe not such much), and to the point. Gibbs delivers one unapologetically hard and blunt bar after another and The World’s Freshest brings some good ole boom bap beats to the table. I mean, it might not be the veritable masterpiece Piñata is, but it is probably the greatest installment of the Tonite Show yet and the two artists work well together. Give it a listen above and enjoy!

I guess the musical collab was brought together by Converse or something. While it doesn’t seem like Trash Talk had that much “input” on the track, but it’s said that Garrett Stevenson of Trash Talk produced the track. “97.92″ probably isn’t going to go up there with the likes of Public Enemy & Anthrax, but I think the trio drops some of the best bars they’ve released since their BETTEROFFDEAD tape. Enjoy!